Emmanuel Ochayi
Ahead of an international peace conference in Switzerland, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has outlined the conditions under which Russia would agree to a ceasefire and engage in peace negotiations with Ukraine.
This announcement comes as the conflict, now in its third year, continues to strain the region.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPutin specified that for a ceasefire to take effect, Ukraine must withdraw all its troops from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. “The conditions are very simple,” Putin stated. He emphasised that Russia would immediately reciprocate with a cessation of hostilities and ensure the safe withdrawal of Ukrainian military units from these areas.
“As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join NATO – on our side, immediately, literally at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations,” Putin said. He reiterated, “I repeat, we will do this immediately. Naturally, we will simultaneously guarantee the unhindered and safe withdrawal of Ukrainian units and formations.”
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The conflict has seen Russia control nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory. Ukraine, however, insists that any lasting peace must include the complete withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of its territorial integrity.
The weekend summit in Switzerland, set to convene representatives from over 90 nations and organisations, is expected to address humanitarian issues such as food security and nuclear safety in Ukraine, avoiding territorial disputes. Despite calls from the Kremlin that the summit would be “futile” without Russia’s participation, the event is scheduled to proceed without Russian representation.
Ukrainian officials have consistently rejected Russia’s territorial demands. “There can be no peace without the complete restoration of Ukraine’s borders,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a recent statement. He added, “Our position remains unchanged – Russian forces must leave all occupied territories before any negotiations can take place.”
The international community remains divided on how to resolve the conflict. While some nations support Ukraine’s stance on territorial integrity, others call for a pragmatic approach to end the violence. “We need to focus on saving lives and ensuring stability,” said a European diplomat who wished to remain anonymous. “This requires compromise from both sides.”
Humanitarian organisations have also voiced their concerns about the ongoing conflict. “The humanitarian situation in the affected regions is dire,” said a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross. “Access to food, clean water, and medical supplies is severely limited. We urge all parties to consider the human cost of this conflict.”
The peace conference in Switzerland aims to address these pressing humanitarian issues. Discussions will likely focus on ensuring the safe delivery of aid and protecting civilian infrastructure. However, the absence of Putin at the summit has cast doubts on the effectiveness of the discussions.
“The lack of Putin participation is a significant setback,” said an analyst from a global think tank. “Without Russia at the table, it’s challenging to reach a comprehensive and lasting solution.”
As the international community continues to grapple with the complexities of the conflict, the path to peace remains uncertain. Putin’s conditions for a ceasefire represent a potential opening for negotiations, but significant obstacles remain. The world watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can bring stability and peace to the region.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
